It’s not often that you see a much-older trotter that can still show his heels to younger rivals, especially in the Invitational ranks, but that is the case when it comes to Four Starz Speed at the Hippodrome 3R.
Come this Sunday, the 12-year-old gelded son of Conway Hall will seek his eighth victory of the year at 3R, starting from post seven for trainer/driver Kevin Maguire in the seventh race Invitational Trot.
Last week's win was number seven on the year for Four Starz Speed, who was able to lead from start to finish for driver Louis-Philippe Roy, winning by three open lengths in 1:59. He is listed as the 7-2 third choice in the morning line
Owned by the Maguire Stable of Sainte-Marie, Four Starz Speed has been doing well, winning races and consistently making money. Last year, at age 11, he posted an impressive 13 wins with earnings of $54,784. He already has bankrolled $39,889 this year with his seven wins, seven second- and two third-place finishes in just 20 starts and could well surpass his earnings from last year. Career-wise, Four Starz Speed has won $831,887.
But once again it will not be an easy walk-in-the-park for Four Starz Speed faces some stiff competition, especially from Unabating.
From the barn of Guy Gagnon and owned by Catheline Pelletier of Mirabel, Unabating has five wins and five seconds in his 14 starts this year. He is the 5-2 morning line favourite in the race.
A nine-year-old gelding by Broadway Hall, Unabating ships back to 3R after back-to-back second-place finishes at Rideau Carleton. Prior to that, he had won the Invitational Trot at 3R, also in 1:59. Guy Gagnon will do the driving from post four.
The lone mare in the field, Torches Angel goes from post five for driver Pierre Luc Roy. She was second to Four Starz Speed last week.
Sports Authority, who had the longshot hopes of Trois-Rivieres behind him in the Prix D’Ete last week -- but finished last in the race -- is back in the eighth race to headline the Invitational Pace. He starts from post six and is the 5-2 favourite in the race.
Moving up in class for the first time in the Invitational is Tidewater Tomahawk, off the strength of two strong wins against lesser. He starts from the rail for driver Daniel Mondou.
Track Notes: There is also an extra-distance race in the sixth Sunday for pacers, as a large field of 11 starters will go at one and one-half miles, three laps around the 3R half-mile oval.
Driver Stephane Brosseau will be honoured Sunday for reaching the 3,000 win plateau at Ayer's Cliff on Saturday afternoon.
Coming up on Sunday, September 3, will be the Quebec-Bred Championship Day with four $65,000 finals for three-year-olds and four $55,000 finals for two-year-old trotters and pacers. It is annually the richest day of race at 3R during the season with total purses on the program of more than $500,000.
For Sunday's entries, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.
(with files from Quebec Jockey Club)